ManilaMailDC.Net - RP editor named 1of 50 global leaders

RP editor named 1of 50 global leaders

LONDON - A global political risk consultancy firm chose a Filipinoeditor as among 50 individuals who shaped national, regional or international politics in 2005.
Newsbreak magazine’s editor-in-chief Marites Danguilan Vitugjoined heads of states — close to half of those chosen — on the Eurasia Group’s “2006 Global Leadership 50" list that made ”an impact on global politics."
Topping this year’s list is Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, chosen for leading a unilateral troop withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and “for challenging the status quo by abandoning the Likud party to establish a new centrist party.” Vitug, 45th on the list, was cited for leading a news magazine that has “won acclaim for its critical coverage of politics and society” in the Philippines.
“Vitug’s team has proven to be resilient and continually gains access to insiders and operatives in Philippine politics,” the citation read. Vitug is the lone Filipino on the list and one of five Southeast Asians.
The others are, Bambang Yudhoyono, president of Indonesia (8), Abdullah Badawi, prime minister of Malaysia (24), Anwar Ibrahim, former deputy prime minister of Malaysia (28), and Thaksin Shinawatra, prime minister of Thailand (33).
The Global Leadership 50 is Eurasia’s annual ranking of politicians, activists, entrepreneurs, social and religious leaders in the world.
The group cited Newsbreak’s “in-depth reporting on alleged electoral fraud by the administration, supposed corruption in the military, the election commission, and the president’s allies provided the people with details and a point of view not often seen in the Philippines.”
“The list signifies recognition that these are the 50 individuals who we believe did more than any others to help define the politics of 2005,” the Eurasia Group said.
Other heads of state on the list include Junichiro Koizumi, prime minister of Japan (ranked No. 2); Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela (No. 3); Mahmood Ahmadinejad, president of Iran (No. 4); Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany (No. 6); King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (No. 10); Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva, president of Brazil (No. 12); Hu Jintao, president of China (No. 19); and Evo Morales, president of Bolivia (No. 26).
“This list is not without a few controversial names,” said Dr. Harry Harding, Eurasia Group’s research and analysis director. “We selected individuals without casting judgments on the integrity of their actions or policies, but instead sought to highlight people who undeniably were making an impact on global politics — positive or not so positive, depending on your perspective.”